MANHATTAN, Kan. — Twenty-four students from four schools in Kansas have been awarded the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Kansas Agriculture Skills & Competencies Certificate. Of these, 20 were awarded the general certificate, three were awarded the animal science certificate, and one student was awarded the plant systems certificate.

Students have demonstrated excellence in their agricultural education programs and completed requirements in three agricultural education areas of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience learning and leadership development through FFA. Students are also required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all school courses.

According to Kurt Dillon, the agriculture education program consultant with the Kansas State Department of Education, well-prepared students are important to the agriculture industry. “Bright students who have a variety of skills and are interested in working in the field of agriculture are critical to the future of Kansas,” he said. “Students who have demonstrated the required proficiencies to earn this certificate should be congratulated.”

KDA is committed to equipping the agriculture industry with a dynamic workforce that meets the diverse needs of the industry today. “The agriculture workforce needs technical specialists in agronomy, technology, animal science and many other fields,” said Kerry Wefald, the KDA marketing division director. “There is also demand for well-rounded and capable young people to operate high-tech machinery at dairies, ranches, farms and other agribusinesses. Kansas agriculture is extremely diverse and growing and the industry requires a well-equipped workforce to support that growth.”

The certificates have been endorsed by the Kansas agricultural community, including many industry organizations and employers.

Applications for the Kansas Agriculture Skills & Competencies Certificate are accepted each spring. To find more information, visit agriculture.ks.gov/ageducation.